Schistosome Health Dictionary

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Schistosome: From 1 Different Sources

A type of fluke.

Three types of schistosome are parasites of humans, causing different forms of schistosomiasis.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

Praziquantel

An e?ective drug against all human schistosomes which has a broad spectrum of activity and low toxicity (see SCHISTOSOMIASIS).... praziquantel

Bather’s Itch

Bather’s itch, also called schistosome DERMATITIS, is the term given to a blotchy rash on the skin occurring in those bathing in water which is infested with the larvae of certain trematode worms known as schistosomes (see SCHISTOSOMIASIS). The worm is parasitic in snails. The skin rash is caused by penetration of the skin by the free-swimming larval cercaria. Bather’s itch is common in many parts of the world.... bather’s itch

Cercariae

The infective stages of the Schistosomes and other trema todes, which are free living in water. In some trematodes (e.g. Fasciola), the cercariae develope into metacercariae for infection.... cercariae

Katayama Syndrome

A syndrome characterised by allergic symptoms and involving the respiratory tract (i.e. fever, cough, rash and marked eosinophilia) sometimes seen in patients who have had exposure to a large number of schistosome cercariae, especially Schistosoma japonicum, sometimes S. mansoni, rarely S. haematobium. Sydrome occurs during the invasive stage of schistosomiasis from the time of cercarial penetration of the skin to the time of early egg laying in the veins.... katayama syndrome

Bilharzia

Schistosomiasis. One of the serious diseases of the tropics, caused by schistosomes, or blood flukes. Goes back into Egyptian history by 3,000 years when it was referred to as ‘blood in the urine’ (haematuria).

Bilharzial calcified eggs have been found in the rectum and bladder of mummified bodies. There is evidence that they received treatment with the plants Valerian and Hyoscyamus. Today, Poke root is favoured.

More than 300 million people are infected. Cure is difficult, in spite of our greater knowledge. No natural medicine has yet been discovered to kill the parasite worms except deep-acting poisons: Antimony (tartar emetic).

Causative organism pierces the skin or mucous membranes of walkers, swimmers, or farmers wading in contaminated water.

Medicinal plants are used, with varying degrees of success to discourage the flukes from invading the host and to make good their depredations.

Anti-Bilharzials – Gum arabic, Cannabis sativa (hemp), Citrullus colocynthis, Citric acid (from lemons), Cyperus esculentus, Douma thebaica, Hordeum vulgare (Barley), Phoenix dactylifera, Ricinus communis (Castor oil), Thymus capitata (Thyme), Vitis vinifera (Grapes), Pistacea terebinthus (the Mastic Tree), Morus nigra (fresh fruits, root bark and leaves of the Mulberry Tree), Ficus carica (Common Fig), Thymus vulgaris (Thyme similar to English Garden Thyme). Later in history these remedies were joined by Ginger and Ambrosia artemisia. (Samir Yahia El-Gammal, MD, in “Medical Times”, Journal for the Promotion of Eastern Medicine. Hamdard Centre, Nazimabad, Karachi, Pakistan. Vol XIX, Winter 1984)

Ginger, powdered root and aqueous extract, prevents hatching of schistosome eggs in host. In trials with schoolchildren, bloody urine stopped and egg count in the urine dropped. (Kucera et al., 1975; Theakston et al., 1975)

CORIANDER SEED. Tea. Original research, Lawrence D. Hills, Henry Doubleday Research Association.

Note: Berries of a native Ethiopian plant, the endod or Soapberry (Phytolacca dodecandra) contain a potent toxin that can, in minute quantities, kill the snails carrying the schistosomes. (New Scientist, 1989, No 1690, p21)

To be treated by or in liaison with a general medical practitioner. ... bilharzia

Flatworm

Any species of worm that has a flattened shape.

Two types of flatworm are parasites of humans: cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes, schistosomes; see liver fluke; schistosomiasis).... flatworm

Schistosomiasis

A parasitic tropical disease, caused by any of 3 species of flukes called schistosomes, and acquired from bathing in infested water. The larval form penetrates the bather’s skin and develops in the body into adult flukes, which settle in the veins of the bladder and intestines. Eggs laid by adults provoke inflammatory reactions; there may be bleeding and ulceration in the bladder and intestinal walls, and the liver may also be affected. The first symptom is usually tingling and an itchy rash where the flukes have penetrated the skin. An influenza-like illness may develop weeks later, when the adults produce eggs. Subsequent symptoms include blood in the urine or faeces, abdominal or lower back pain, and enlargement of the liver or spleen. Complications of long-term infestation include liver cirrhosis, bladder tumours, and kidney failure. Treatment is with the drug praziquantel.... schistosomiasis

Trematode

The scientific name for any fluke or schistosome.... trematode

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